Fabrication, Characterization, and Evaluation of a Novel Lithium Disilicate Glass-Ceramic

A novel lithium disilicate glass-ceramic modified with Pyrex-derived borosilicate glass and antimony oxide was developed to improve mechanical performance while maintaining chemical stability. The material was fabricated by oxide mixing, melt-quenching, casting, and controlled crystallization, followed by structural and microstructural characterization using field-emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM), energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS), X-ray diffraction (XRD), and Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). Flexural strength, Vickers hardness, and chemical solubility were evaluated according to the relevant ISO standards and compared with those of a commercial lithium disilicate glass-ceramic (IPS e.max CAD; Ivoclar Vivadent, Schaan, Liechtenstein). Statistical analyses were performed using independent-samples t-tests at a significance level of α = 0.05. Structural characterization demonstrated a multiphase crystalline glass-ceramic containing reflections consistent with lithium disilicate, while FE-SEM revealed elongated, partially interlocking crystals distributed within the residual glassy matrix, confirming the development of the intended glass-ceramic microstructure. The experimental material exhibited significantly higher flexural strength than the commercial reference (560.41 ± 53.31 MPa vs. 371.39 ± 14.48 MPa; p < 0.05), whereas Vickers hardness and chemical solubility did not differ significantly between the materials (p > 0.05). These findings suggest that the incorporation of Pyrex-derived borosilicate glass as a glass-network modifier, together with antimony oxide, may provide a viable approach to producing lithium disilicate glass-ceramics with enhanced flexural performance while maintaining hardness and chemical durability, supporting their potential for dental restorative applications.